Every participant needs to meet NDIS and SAFC requirements before we could provide services. Once you initiate a conversation with our coordination team, we will then guide you through the process and invite you for a tour where we could discuss further. The on boarding process usually takes up to 2 weeks.

Our Community Access program offers a range of activities and experiences for our participants while out in the community. Community Access encourages our participants to get out and about, be active, and to socialise with their peers. With choices of paid and free activities, such as trampolining centres or public water parks respectively, there is always something exciting to do or somewhere new to explore with EPIK’s Community Access Program.

Our Centre Based Program caters to the creativity within each one of our participants. We encourage our participants to learn a new skill, discover a new passion, and to work together to achieve great things. With a range of arts and crafts activities, musical instruments to play, or dishes to make in our cooking program, staying in for the day doesn’t mean we won’t have fun.

1. EPIK and Forge Individual support 1:1 – Community based activities or in-home care (transport could be provided – charge applies) can be provided for participants aged 5-25yrs.
2. EPIK After school group (5 days a week)
3. EPIK Holiday group programs & 1:1 (centre based at Wangee park school & community access at Croydon)
4. EPIK and Forge Weekend program – Group & 1:1 (Saturday – parents to pick up & drop off)
5. EPIK & Forge Short term accommodation (overnight stay, 24/7 – transport and meals are included)
6. Forge day program: Day program including activities for young adults after leaving school and up to 25 years.

Both programs provide support to NDIS registered participants. EPIK is for school aged children starting from 5 years while Forge is specifically designed for young adults aged up to 25 years of age.

The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) is the independent agency responsible for implementing the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). If you’re eligible for the NDIS, the NDIA will work with you and your family to help you identify the supports you need to live your life and achieve your goals.

The NDIS provides ongoing funding for all ‘reasonable and necessary’ disability equipment, care and support services. The National Disability Insurance Act, passed by the Commonwealth Parliament in 2012, sets out guidelines to help decide what can be funded. Generally the supports and services provided to you need to assist you to:

• Achieve your goals
• Become as independent as possible
• Develop skills for day-to-day living
• Participate in the community

You do! Your NDIS plan will tell you how much funding you will receive for each support but it’s your decision how funds are managed. You can choose to manage your funds yourself or nominate the NDIS, a registered provider or someone else you trust to do it for you. With the NDIS you’ll always retain control over how, when and where your supports are provided.

Yes, all participants must be NDIS registered participant and have a valid NDIS plan. Service costs vary according to the type of services you would like to receive. We will work with you to plan services that suit you and your NDIS budget. SAFC can only provide services under Core support which cover Assistance with Daily Life and Assistance with Social & Community Participation.

An NDIS service agreement/ addendum is a legal agreement between you and St Anthony’s which outlines the support that will be provided for you under the NDIS. It describes how and when the support will be provided, as well as the costs and the fees you need to pay.

The Coordination team will conduct a phone then face to face home inspection to complete a mandatory risk assessment prior to commencing the in-home services. Once, this is successfully completed, we will work together to coordinate the support hours, workers, transport, and other special requests.

Yes. Our workers can provide transport and support to medical appointments, other appointments such as the hairdresser, social functions, community events and just about anywhere else you would like to go.

Yes. We try to match your preferences in relation to your support workers. We know some people prefer male or female staff, people with particular language abilities or other skills. We recommend you choose a small team rather than one worker, so you have more than one person who knows you and understands your preferences.

To ensure the health and safety of all our children we ask that parents keep sick children at home. If a child becomes ill while at our programs, our team will contact families to discuss your child’s symptoms. At times it may be necessary for your child to be collected from the Centre, in which case, workers will ensure that your child is kept as comfortable as possible until you arrive.

Absolutely, all entries, exits as well as inside all facilities and houses are wheelchair accessible.

We have a spacious activity centre used for our Forge Day program, EPIK weekend and EPIK afterschool program. We have 3 brand new STA Cottages that have 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, adjoining backyards, spacious kitchens, and large living area.  We also have 2 older houses used for Individual centre-based support but can also be used for Short Term Accommodations.

We follow the current NDIS Price Arrangements and Price Limits cancellation policy.

NF2F is to include tasks not included in the NDIS Price Arrangements and Price Limits such as report writing, behaviour support plans, health management, communications, set up and program design (including risk assessment) and resources for group activities. Centre Capital Cost is for building costs when a centre needs to be available to provide the support.

Our school aged programs run only during school terms and school holidays however Short-Term accommodation run 24hrs/ 7 days a week for 365 days a year. Individualised support is also flexible to meet your need for 365 days a year. Speak to our friendly team today to get more details.

No. St Anthony’s is a Catholic, not-for-profit organisation that provides services to people of all faiths and no faith. We welcome everyone, regardless of race, gender, or religion. This applies to our recruitment of team members as well.

All SAFC workers have valid NDIS worker check and Working with children check.

Yes, EPIK and Forge programs have a secure onsite carpark available to parents for drop-off and pick-ups. Our properties are fully secured with fob access to doors, back to base alarm monitoring and our STA cottages have fire sprinkler systems.

Contact our friendly team today on 02 9747 5782 or email us at epikds@safc.org.au or forgeds@safc.org.au. Our operating hours are 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday excluding public holidays.